My colleague Jordan Honeycutt addressed a few controversial issues, in regards to sports athletes, in his recent column, saying they are “stories for People, US Weekly, CNN or Good Morning America.”

I disagree.

Sports are more than just game stories. Sports are more than a quarterback passing for 3,000 yards or a basketball player averaging 30 points per game.

I want to know the whole story about a particular athlete, especially if they have an interesting story. Many have inspiring stories, others have off-field problems and others are all-around good people -- sometimes a rare commodity when talking about professional athletes.

So what makes them who they are today?

Jason Collins, a journeyman NBA player, recently announced he was gay.

In a homophobic, and macho, profession, it was a brave act for him to come out. He is the first active professional athlete to admit he is gay.

Whether you agree or disagree with his life choice, you can’t deny his heroic act. It opens the door for others to follow suit who were too scared to come out or afraid of getting bullied.

Anaheim Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. It’s a good story but how is it different than what Collins is going through?

Both are professional athletes. Both are dealing with obstacles. Both have inspiring stories. Both should be major sports headlines on ESPN.

The bombings in Boston occurred during the running of the Boston Marathon.

Is that not a sports story?

It brings up issues on sports safety. It was an attack on a national sporting event.

I certainly want to feel safe if one day I decide to attend a Super Bowl.

Sure, Tiger Woods is a scum bag. His adulterous ways are still making headlines.

He is one of the greatest, and well-known, athletes in the world. His immoral acts should be publicized by the sports media.

Do you want your children to idolize someone like that?

Tim Tebow, not a great NFL quarterback, should be celebrated for his actions off the football field. He is a devout Christian, well-spoken, and has never had troubles with the law.

Now that’s someone to look up to.

Why is that worth mentioning? With all the arrests and legal issues we learn about from many athletes, it’s refreshing to learn there are ones who do things the right way.

Michael Vick, and his dog-fighting ring, steroids, O.J. Simpson and serious trials involving athletes should be covered by the media.

Yes, I care about those issues.

There are more to sports than “what happens in between the playing lines.”

As a journalist, and as a fan of sports, I am interested in inspiring and emotion stories, as well as the negative ones.

Professional, and college athletes, are in the spotlight.

When/if I have a kid, there is no way it is going to be a fan of an athlete that disgraces their sport with continuous off-field issues.

The sports media is their to provide coverage of anything related to the athletes or teams it covers -- good, bad or ugly.